During the last Hancock "Spot the Bolt" sale, I bought a bunch of fabric. I normally take photos of the bolt end but didn't. I just knew it was a bottomweight and some kind of blend.

I spent most of my sew-cation working on these pants. I was *really* happy with the fit and my finishing. I even did a blind hem!

I tried them on to hem and then again to place the hook/eye and button/buttonhole. They felt a little loose. I figured they might have just been so from all the handling. My husband was doing laundry so I had him wash them. Ironed them this morning and put them on.

It's about 1 1/2 hours later and holy cow. I can pinch like 2-3 inches out of the back and/or sides!

I have had the same problem with some fabrics. If anyone knows the solution I'd love to hear it! I always use twill tape, the sew on kind, in the lower crotch. The fabric around it stretches. I hate over fitting,and, honestly, sometimes that's the only way to deal with it. I seam and sew my waist band on to both halves separately and then sew up the rest of my cb seam in one with the waistband so that I can open easily take it in later if I need to.

Darn. Those pants are beautiful. Possibly opening up the side seams and basting to take in might work but that depends on how the crotch fits. It might no be too late to add stay tape to the crotch. Deep breath and walk away for a bit.

An old trick for people who are losing weight is to sew the waist band on the front and back and sew up the sides last. It causes a side seam in the waistband but allows for alternations. I have not done it but assume it means the crotch doesn't change much over a few pounds? Worth a try at this point.

Quote: Nancy K I have had the same problem with some fabrics. If anyone knows the solution I'd love to hear it! I always use twill tape, the sew on kind, in the lower crotch. The fabric around it stretches. I hate over fitting,and, honestly, sometimes that's the only way to deal with it. I seam and sew my waist band on to both halves separately and then sew up the rest of my cb seam in one with the waistband so that I can open easily take it in later if I need to.

Sorry to jack this thread, but I have this problem too (with store bought pants, so I assume I'll have the same issue with pants I make), but what do you mean, "use twill tape in the lower crotch"?
I'm imagining a piece of twill tape, folded over the seam allowance, starting like 2 inches in the front and ending about 4 in the back, sewn on with the stitching right on the original seam. Is that what you mean?

Or like this:

In that picture, it is a skinny piece of twill tape (I didn't know it was that skinny) NOT folded OVER the crotch seam, but just sewn on one side of it?Twill tape -- Edited on 10/28/13 10:12 AM --

I have learned the hard way to stay both the crotch and the waistband/yoke seam with either twill tape or fusible stay tape. The first zipped skirt I ever made grew so much I could use it as a maternity skirt.

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